Hat-tricks all round…
Two years ago today, Michael Owen bagged a treble as we won 3-0 at Manchester City. It was our 400th Premier League match, and Steven Gerrard made his 150th reds appearance in the game.
On this day in 1895, George Allan scored four goals in our 5-1 defeat of Burslem Port Vale at Anfield, with David Hannah netting the other.
Kevin Lisbie bagged a treble for Charlton Athletic as we lost 3-2 at The Valley on this day last year, with Steven Gerrard playing his 200th reds game. Vladimír Šmicer scored and Michael Owen converted a penalty.
Anfield debut…
The first game at Anfield was played on this day in 1884, when Everton beat Earlstown 5-0.
European records…
We registered our record equal away win in Europe on this day in 1976, thumping Northern Irish champions Crusaders 5-0 in our first round match, to go through 7-0 on aggregate, en route to our first European Cup win. David Johnson bagged a brace, to add to goals from Kevin Keegan, Terry McDermott and Steve Heighway, with four of our goals coming in the final nine minutes.
Six years later, Anfield witnessed its lowest ever European attendance, of just 12,021, as we beat Dundalk 1-0 in our European Cup first round second leg, to progress 5-1 on aggregate. Ronnie Whelan scored the only goal, just nine minutes from time. Terry McDermott was making his farewell reds appearance.
The following year, Phil Neal missed his first game in seven years as Michael Robinson scored his first two reds goals as we beat Danes OB Odense 5-0 at Anfield. Kenny Dalglish also struck twice, to break Denis Law's British record for most goals in the European Cup, reaching fifteen. Our other strike came from an own goal.
Captain Jocky…
Alan Hansen was confirmed as club captain in place of Phil Neal on this day in 1985, prior to our 4-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. Ian Rush and Mark Lawrenson both scored, before Jan Mølby added two penalties.
Out with the old, in with the new…
Centre-half Laurie Hughes played his final reds game on this day in 1957, as we were thumped 5-1 at Charlton Athletic, with Antonio Rowley grabbing our consolation. Gerry Byrne made his reds bow in the same game.
Another debutant...
Inside-forward Arthur Metcalf made his reds bow as we lost 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion on this day in 1912. Tom Miller grabbed our consolation.
We had a happier time against the Baggies 23 years later, thumping them 5-0 at Anfield, with Lance Carr bagging a brace and Berry Nieuwenhuys, Gordon Hodgson and Fred Howe all on the scoresheet.
Running riot at Molineux...
We recorded our equal biggest win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on this day in 1968, as Roger Hunt, ex-Wolves star Alun Evans and Peter Thompson all netted braces in a 6-0 thumping.
A derby win...
Ian Callaghan netted twice as we beat Everton 2-1 at Anfield on this day in 1963.
Reserve birthdays...
1980's reserves forward Paul Jewell is forty today. He never made our first-team, and is now Manager of Wigan Athletic, one of his former clubs as a player, who are currently riding high in the Coca Cola Championship.
More recent second string striker John Miles is 23 today. He too never broke through to the first eleven at Anfield, and is now plying his trade with League Two side Macclesfield Town.
Auf wiedersehen…
Five years ago today, Karlheinz Riedle was sold to Fulham for £200,000. He only made seventeen starts in two seasons at Craven Cottage, as his career wound to an end.
Newell departs...
Reserves forward Mike Newell joined Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer on this day in 1983, having also failed to break into the first team at Anfield. He only lasted one month and three matches at Gresty Road, before moving to Wigan Athletic on another free transfer.
Ex-red keepers in opposition...
Two ex-reds custodians, David James and Tony Warner, played against each other on this day last year as West Ham United drew 1-1 with Millwall in a First Division fixture at Upton Park.
Westcott off the mark…
D. Westcott nabbed his first reds goals on this day in 1940, scoring both in our 2-0 win at Chester in a Wartime League game.
Lewis yet again...
Inside-forward Harry Lewis scored in his fourth consecutive game on this day in 1918, as we won a Wartime League game at Preston North End 2-0. T.S. Bennett netted the other goal.
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